大象传媒

Meet Tegan, 24, from Wiltshire. She works in London as an architectural apprentice for Gensler, a design and architecture firm. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.

Tegan smiling at the camera.
From about the age of 10, I鈥檇 decided I wanted to do architecture!

What is your job?

Architecture is all about designing buildings. I do a lot! My job involves figuring out the needs of the client, how we translate that into design and then translating it back to the client. Sometimes I make site models for clients, and other times I might be sitting at the computer doing 3D models, or 2D plans and hand sketches.

Tegan working on a 2D plan.
Image caption,
Tegan working on a 2D plan.

What skills do you use in your work?

Knowing how to talk to communicate with people in the right way is very important. Research is also crucial because it informs the rest of your design decisions. Time management is critical because I鈥檝e had to learn to juggle my coursework at uni, my job here at the office and my disabilities (arthritis and chronic migraines). Also, presentation skills 鈥 I had to do a big presentation for university recently.

What subjects did you study?

At GCSEs I did Design & Technology, and at A-level I did History, Maths, Physics and Chemistry (I dropped Chemistry). I got my A-levels and then went to university, but half way through my second year I got quite seriously ill, so I had to pause my studies. Instead of staying in bed recovering, I did an Art A-level. After getting back on my feet I finished my degree and now I鈥檓 doing my masters degree! My illness has left me with some long-term health issues but it hasn't stopped me achieving or doing the job I love.

What subjects do you draw on?

History and Art have been the most useful of the A-levels that I鈥檝e done.

How did you get into your job?

My lecturer in my third year of uni told me about the apprenticeship, and I was attracted to the fact that this is such a huge firm, so there鈥檚 worldwide opportunities to move, a wealth of knowledge and a research institute.

Was it a smooth ride?

No! When I started uni, if someone had told me what would happen with my health over the next six years, I wouldn鈥檛 have believed them! I feel like there鈥檚 good in it happening, because it鈥檚 changed my perspective on what I鈥檓 doing and how I鈥檓 going to approach it. It鈥檚 made me far more sympathetic to the accessibility issues in architecture.

Tegan working on a 2D plan.
Image caption,
Tegan working on a 2D plan.
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Top tips

  • I asked my teachers what A-levels they would recommend, but I wish I鈥檇 done a little bit more of my own research

  • Question everything and start delving into topics and explore them 鈥 figure out what it is you like

  • Look after your health. When you鈥檙e at your healthiest you鈥檙e performing your best.

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After completing your education and training, there are many careers open to architects, for example designing new buildings and the spaces around them, and working on the restoration and conservation of existing buildings.

What to expect if you want to be an architect

  • Architect average salary: 拢27,500 to 拢90,000 per year
  • Architect typical working hours: 35 to 40 hours per week

What qualifications do you need to be an architect?

You could get into this role via a university course, an apprenticeship or working towards the role.

Sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service

This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the for the latest information and all the qualifications needed..co.uk/) and

For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: , , and .

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